Backbone of Drag and Drive Part 8: Honeymoons, Horsepower, and the Fling Family
It’s very important when you intend to build something strong, that you pay very close attention to the foundation. Everything else will be built upon that. And whether that’s a house or shop, a chassis, or a relationship, it is critical that you get the foundation right. I was introduced to the Fling family a couple years back and have been reintroduced at two more events since and have witnessed first hand that these folks have a level of love and respect for the sport and for those of us that participate with them in it, that is on another level. They became so present in the drag and drive community that they became integral to its success. Legacy is built upon solid foundations. Consistency and commitment. And the kind of passion that makes a couple choose a drag and drive event for their honeymoon!
They have a soft spot for Fords it seems, and a love affair with Crown Vic’s that would make ol Cleetus proud. From humble beginnings on the streets of the Midwest, Sean and Tara have constructed an amazing heritage that clearly their sons Matt and Michael are happily adding onto. Luckily for us what began at DW those years back is still standing. The Flings are still racing. Still serving the community. Still passing that love for the sport on to the next generation. They race cars that run 10’s 11’s and 12’s. And if you keep watching you’re gonna see those single digit times soon enough. But even if we don’t, as far as I can see nobody is more deserving to be recognized as “the backbone of drag and drive”.
Take a few minutes to get to know The Fling Family
Where are you from/live?
We are from DeSoto KS, Tara & I met while out street racing in the Kansas City area!
What made you start racing?
Tara grew up going to car shows/events with her step dad. He owned an auto repair shop for over 35 years & always had very nice late 60’s Chevy muscle cars. (69 COPO Camaro, 69 427 Biscayne, 66 Nova, etc.). Racing is also in Tara’s family blood as her Grandpa was a big drag racer back in the day, going to the finals at the first Hotrod US Nationals in 1955 in Great Bend, KS.
I had 2 older brothers that had Mustangs & were into racing.
I spent a few years without a drivers license, among many other problems, because of legal troubles from street racing!
First Race and Where?
*I can’t remember our “first race” but we spent a lot of time bracket racing at MoKan Dragway & we always attended the “World Ford Challenge” events in St. Louis.
*Tara: my first time down the track was at Kansas City International Raceway (KCIR). I drove someone’s 69 Nova (it was not a nice car!) and staged with the back tires! Very memorable first time down the strip!
What was your first car?
*Sean — 86 Escort GT
Tara — 89? Chevy Spectrum
Michael — 96 Ford Ranger
Matt — 97 Grand Marquis
What was your first Drag and drive style event? What vehicle?
Tara & I got married on Saturday, September 9th 2006, & left Sunday morning for Hot Rod Drag Week 06, in our 96 Mercury Grand Marquis, with a V10 truck engine, & twin turbos mounted under the floorboard.
Tara just missed winning her class that first year. Her week average was 12.0006, & that was only good enough for second place! She is still salty about it today!
*After racing Drag Week for many years, we were asked to help run the event around 2014. We will be spending our 20 year wedding anniversary working @ HRDW 26 this year!
Bucketlist Race or Event?
*That question is soo hard! I want to do EVERYTHING!
Sean wants to go to George Rays in AR. (They are racing in the Short Circuit, which is hosted at George Ray’s on Nov 6-7)
Tara wants to race at Bonneville Salt Flats. She also really wants a 200mph hat/jacket from anywhere!
Matt wants to race at Yellow Belly Drag Strip, in TX.
Michael would really like to try participating in a drifting event.
What's your PB and how/when did that happen?
*Sean- 10.30
Tara- 11.40-ish, V10 Grand Marquis, 2005. Tara also considers her land speed racing a PB. In 20xx Tara had the opportunity to participate in an Ohio Mile event in Wilmington OH. She raced a 1997 Lincoln Mark VIII called the Stinkin Lincoln. She set the record in her class D/FALT (fuel altered) and went 177.8 in the mile.
Matt-11.96
Michael-11.20
Unlimited budget..what are you building?
Its impossible for me to choose only one vehicle! But it would be extremely unassuming & serve more than only one purpose. (Not a specific drag car!)
*Tara: I always say if I ever win the lottery I’m buying lots of cars!! I had a 1996 Mustang GT and have always wanted another one but faster! I’d also love to build a Baja bug.
Favorite car movie?
Sean-2 Lane Blacktop
Tara-Smoky & the Bandit
Michael-Talladega Nights
Matt- Ford VS Ferrari
Favorite music for cruising?
*Totally depends on the mood, the car, & the trip! We listen to EVERYTHING!
Favorite Roadsnack?
*Twizzlers, or anything from Buc’ee’s! Lol!
What has been your best/favorite event?
Event: *HRDW 2011
Event Average: idk, probably 11.50 something. (He has a good memory. HRDW 2011 - 11.685 Avg, with a Best Pass at 11.53)
vehicle at that event?
Year, Make, Model
*1963 Ford Fairlane Wagon
Powertrain Combo at time of Event:
Engine: *DOHC 32v 4.6l Ford
Transmission: *Tremec 5 speed
Rear Gear: *3.73
Power Adder: *ProCharger D1SC @ 13psi
Tires: *Hoosier Quick Time Pro
How long have you had that car?
*We’ve had the Fairlane for over 20 years now.
How many races have you attended in it?
Tara & I have both raced it a LOT! We have also driven it all across the country!
Why did you build this car?
We built it because it is very unique & we think it is a cool looking car.
Any maintenance required from all the passes?
*No, not really, it wasn’t real fast. <11.50 (no rollbar)
What are 1-2 struggles from the week?
*Back in 2011, directions were still a struggle! I’m pretty sure that was the year the racers had to run the staging lanes by ourselves! Lol
The Fairlane always hooked up too good at the track, & wanted to break a driveshaft or a U joint if you weren’t careful!
Plans for events this year?
*The Short Circuit @ George Rays! (Registration opens in late May)
Which vehicle?
*Anything!
Which class?
*Any!
Goals?
*Enjoy hanging out with our racecarfriends!
The Flings are drag and drive royalty. They are helpful and willing to do anything at any time for anyone during an event. Even when Matt sent rod and pistons pieces through his block at Sick 66, he still had a smile on his face and took it as a learning lesson.
The Flings are an integral part of Drag Drive Repeat’s Circuit drag and drive event, while also helping to structure other event classes and rules for the DDR team. You can see them in a few weeks as we kick off The Circuit 2026 on April 30. Make sure to say hi and thank you for their continued support of this incredible motorsport.
Article by Rodney Reeves. Photos provided by The Fling Family.
